How to start a cleaning business

Regardless of the type of business you are starting, you will always need to set up your accounts, take out insurance, pay taxes, and register your business with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. The topics below are specifically intended for new business owners in the cleaning industry.

Business owner or not?

Whether you have to register with KVK as an entrepreneur depends on a number of requirements: the entrepreneurial criteria.

Cleaning as a business owner

You are a business owner and must register with KVK if the following  apply to you:

• You supply goods or provide services, in your case cleaning services;
• You charge commercial rates for these services, and
• You do not only clean for family and friends, but also have a customer base.

The Netherlands Tax Administration uses different criteria in determining whether you qualify as a business owner for the purpose of VAT and income tax. Use the Tax Administration's entrepreneur check (in Dutch) to find out what applies to your situation.

Competition

The number of cleaning businesses has grown significantly over the past five years. In 2021, 21,506 cleaning companies were registered with KVK, compared to 32,323 on 1 January 2025. The majority of companies operating in the cleaning sector are small businesses. More than 70% are sole proprietorships. 

In order to set yourself apart from your competitors, you can choose a specialisation, such as floor maintenance, glass and window cleaning, or cleaning newly completed properties. Check out what competitors in your area are offering to find out if any specialisations are missing.

Use the KVK Company Counter to discover how many other cleaning companies there are in your town or region.

Permits

You do not need a permit to start a cleaning business, nor are qualifications required for basic cleaning work. If you plan to do specialised cleaning work, including in healthcare, removing graffiti, or exterior building maintenance, it is recommended that you take a training course first. You will then be able to demonstrate that you know exactly how to handle these types of jobs.

Quality marks

There are special quality marks for cleaning companies, which allow you to show that your business provides high-quality services. These quality marks are issued by industry associations Schoonmaken is een Vak! (SieV!) and employer organisation Schoonmaak- en Bedrijfsdiensten (OSB).

There are courses and training programmes that teach you what starting your own cleaning business involves. These are not required but can help you get started. ,

Health and safety risks

Operating a cleaning business, you may encounter any number of health and safety risks. For example, many detergents contain irritants or toxics, and on top of that the work can be physically demanding. If you are starting a window cleaning business, you will be required to regularly work at heights, which also comes with risks. The sector organisation RAS has information about the risks involved in the cleaning industry (in Dutch). Read what you can do to mitigate these risks. You can also protect yourself by taking out insurance.

Taxes

As as entrpreneur, you are liable for VAT. This means you must charge VAT to your clients and file a VAT return. Residential cleaning services are subject to the lower VAT rate of 9%. Cleaning the exterior of homes and specialist cleaning services, along with window and glass cleaning services, are subject to the high rate of 21%. If a building is at least 50% residential properties, you can charge the lower VAT rate for indoor window and glass cleaning.

Small businesses scheme (KOR)

If your turnover is less than €20,000 per year you may qualify for the Small businesses scheme (KOR). You are then exempt from VAT and do not have to charge your clients VAT. You do not have to file a VAT return and you are not entitled to reclaim VAT.

You must file an annual income tax return on the profits from your business.

Staff

If you are unable to handle the work on your own, explore opportunities to hire employees. You can also do this if you run a sole proprietorship. If you hire staff for the first time, you are required to report this to KVK and the  Tax Administration, as you will be required to pay payroll tax. You must comply with the terms of the RAS Collective Labour Agreement (CAO), in Dutch) for the cleaning and window washing sector. This sets out the rights and obligations of employers and employees in the cleaning industry. 

If you do not want to hire staff yourself, you can work together with other self-employed cleaners.

General information for new business owners

In addition to the above, new business owners also have to deal with the following:

• writing a business plan
• keeping financial records
• securing funding
• choosing a business name
• creating a marketing plan